44 Facts About Ahn Jung-hwan

Ahn Jung-hwan was raised in poverty by his grandmother after his father passed away, leaving his mother unable to care for him.

Ahn Jung-hwan quickly discovered his talent for the sport and began to excel.

However, Ahn Jung-hwan ultimately chose Ajou University due to their enticing offer, which included a substantial signing bonus and a guaranteed draft pick by the professional team Busan Daewoo Royals upon graduation.

In 1998, Ahn Jung-hwan started his professional career at K League club Busan Daewoo Royals.

Ahn Jung-hwan was selected as one of the K League Best XI that year after showing great performance as soon as he went there.

In 2000, Ahn joined Perugia on loan, becoming the first South Korean footballer to play in Italy's Serie A Despite facing challenges integrating into the team due to racist remarks from teammate Marco Materazzi and limited playing time, Ahn made 30 appearances including 13 starts and scored five goals over two seasons.

In 2002, following a legal dispute with Perugia, Ahn Jung-hwan joined Shimizu S-Pulse in the J1 League.

Ahn Jung-hwan continued to maintain his form in the 2003 season, becoming the club's top scorer with 11 goals in 28 league appearances.

In 2004, Ahn transferred to Yokohama F Marinos, the reigning J1 League champions.

Ahn Jung-hwan quickly established himself as a key player, leading Yokohama to win the first stage.

In 2005, Ahn Jung-hwan continuously showed his impressive form, scoring four goals in nine appearances before receiving an offer from Ligue 1 club Metz.

In July 2005, Ahn Jung-hwan signed a one-year contract with Metz in the Ligue 1.

Metz struggled throughout the season, eventually facing relegation even after Ahn Jung-hwan left the club in winter.

Ahn Jung-hwan aimed to acclimate to the environment of Germany, the host country of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, ahead of the tournament.

Ahn Jung-hwan scored two goals in 12 outings, and Duisburg was relegated to the 2.

Ahn Jung-hwan was interested in a move to Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premier League after the end of the season, but it fell through.

In January 2007, Ahn Jung-hwan joined K League club Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one-year deal.

Ahn Jung-hwan initially showed promise, scoring a hat-trick in a League Cup match against Daejeon Citizen.

Ahn Jung-hwan left the club at the end of the season.

In 2008, Ahn Jung-hwan returned to his former club, now known as Busan IPark.

On 20 March 2009, Ahn Jung-hwan joined Chinese Super League side Dalian Shide on a seven-month contract until the end of the 2009 season.

Ahn Jung-hwan re-signed with Dalian for the 2011 season, but his prime was finished that year.

Ahn Jung-hwan announced his retirement as a player in January 2012.

In 1994, Ahn Jung-hwan was selected for the South Korean under-20 team for the AFC Youth Championship.

Ahn Jung-hwan played for the South Korean Universiade team in the 1997 Summer Universiade in August, winning a silver medal.

Ahn Jung-hwan took charge of South Korea's striker position with Hwang Sun-hong in rotation at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Ahn Jung-hwan was shortlisted for the All-Star Team by his contribution to South Korea's top-four finish.

Ahn Jung-hwan was undergoing basic military training instead of mandatory military service, from which he was specially exempt by an outcome at the 2002 World Cup, but exceptionally got a vacation in the middle of the training to play a friendly against Argentina.

Ahn Jung-hwan was not called up for the 2000 and 2007 tournaments due to his slumps at clubs.

Ahn Jung-hwan played as a substitute for South Korea in three group stage matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Ahn Jung-hwan became Asia's all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with three goals.

Ahn Jung-hwan was no longer South Korea's key player after the 2006 World Cup, but was selected for the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup due to his experiences as a veteran.

Ahn Jung-hwan announced his retirement as a player on 31 January 2012.

Ahn Jung-hwan looked comfortable when playing as an attacking midfielder, but could play as a winger or striker.

Ahn Jung-hwan's skills were impossible for me, and were not behind European players.

Ahn Jung-hwan is considered one of the most successful athletes-turned-comedians in South Korea, alongside Kang Ho-dong and Seo Jang-hoon.

Ahn Jung-hwan hosted some television shows including Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.

Ahn Jung-hwan has worked as a football commentator, and has provided live commentaries of South Korea's football matches broadcast by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation since 2014.

In 2012, Ahn Jung-hwan was appointed an honorary ambassador for the K League.

Ahn Jung-hwan toured all 16 stadiums of K League clubs and invited his teammates at the 2002 World Cup to the K League All-Star Game.

Ahn Jung-hwan was one of the carriers of the Olympic flame at the opening of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Ahn Jung-hwan, who married former Miss Korea Lee Hye-won in 2001, has one daughter and one son.

Ahn Jung-hwan was nicknamed The Lord of the Ring after kissing his wedding ring whenever he celebrated his goal, and his celebration became fashionable among South Koreans at the time.

Ahn Jung-hwan is widely regarded as one of the most handsome footballers in South Korea.